“Well, if you have the right player to build around, it can happen much faster than you think,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Getting Tyrese made it very clear what our identity as a team needed to be. We needed to be a fast-paced team with shooting, and we had some good shooting at the time. “The Siakam trade took things to another level.” Great leaders remain resilient under pressure. Facing a potential closeout Game 7 on the road, Siakam rose to the occasion at home in Game 6.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Rick Carlisle is the lone leftover representative from the 2000 Finals team (assistant coach) who is returning to the table for seconds… – 10:40 AM
Rick Carlisle is the lone leftover representative from the 2000 Finals team (assistant coach) who is returning to the table for seconds… – 10:40 AM
Sergio Gonzalez @thatgonzalez
Pascal Siakam leans on his championship credentials to will Pacers into NBA Finals, via @curlyfro nytimes.com/athletic/63954… – 8:14 AM
Pascal Siakam leans on his championship credentials to will Pacers into NBA Finals, via @curlyfro nytimes.com/athletic/63954… – 8:14 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam named Eastern Conference Finals MVP sportando.basketball/en/indiana-pac… – 1:18 AM
Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam named Eastern Conference Finals MVP sportando.basketball/en/indiana-pac… – 1:18 AM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“I’m just a young kid from Cameroon, that moved to the U.S. when I was eighteen years old and gave everything to the game of basketball.”
—Pascal Siakam on what winning the Eastern Conference finals MVP trophy meant to him 🏆 pic.x.com/KMS0SKFRbs – 12:56 AM
“I’m just a young kid from Cameroon, that moved to the U.S. when I was eighteen years old and gave everything to the game of basketball.”
—Pascal Siakam on what winning the Eastern Conference finals MVP trophy meant to him 🏆 pic.x.com/KMS0SKFRbs – 12:56 AM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
(I don’t think you can go “wrong” with either Haliburton or Siakam for ECMVP. Siakam played incredibly well and his mismatch scoring was a huge reason for their success. Also think intrinsically everything Indiana does is so predicated upon Hali that I would have voted for him) – 11:49 PM
(I don’t think you can go “wrong” with either Haliburton or Siakam for ECMVP. Siakam played incredibly well and his mismatch scoring was a huge reason for their success. Also think intrinsically everything Indiana does is so predicated upon Hali that I would have voted for him) – 11:49 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Congratulations to Rick Carlisle and his staff and players for getting to the NBA finals. What a heck of a season. – 11:27 PM
Congratulations to Rick Carlisle and his staff and players for getting to the NBA finals. What a heck of a season. – 11:27 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
The Pascal Siakam trade Twitter receipts.
hoopshype.com/lists/nba-twit… – 11:11 PM
The Pascal Siakam trade Twitter receipts.
hoopshype.com/lists/nba-twit… – 11:11 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Pascal Siakam has led the Indiana Pacers in total field goals made in all six of his postseason series with the team, and has led the team in scoring in five of the series (including 2025 Eastern Conference Finals) pic.x.com/fhv4PXaksP – 11:08 PM
Pascal Siakam has led the Indiana Pacers in total field goals made in all six of his postseason series with the team, and has led the team in scoring in five of the series (including 2025 Eastern Conference Finals) pic.x.com/fhv4PXaksP – 11:08 PM
Payal Doshi @PayalDoshiTV
I’m beyond excited for Pascal Siakam. What a well deserved honor, ECF MVP. – 10:53 PM
I’m beyond excited for Pascal Siakam. What a well deserved honor, ECF MVP. – 10:53 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
G League Finals MVP
G League Champion
NBA Most Improved Player
NBA Champion
East Finals MVP
3x All-Star
2x All-NBA
That’s Pascal Siakam – 10:52 PM
G League Finals MVP
G League Champion
NBA Most Improved Player
NBA Champion
East Finals MVP
3x All-Star
2x All-NBA
That’s Pascal Siakam – 10:52 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Rick Carlisle (Mavericks, Pacers) joins a select group of coaches to take 2 franchises to The Finals.
Others:
Alex Hannum (Celtics, Lakers)
Red Auebach (Capitols, Celtics)
Phil Jackson (Bulls, Lakers)
Pat Riley (Lakers, Knicks, Heat) – 10:49 PM
Rick Carlisle (Mavericks, Pacers) joins a select group of coaches to take 2 franchises to The Finals.
Others:
Alex Hannum (Celtics, Lakers)
Red Auebach (Capitols, Celtics)
Phil Jackson (Bulls, Lakers)
Pat Riley (Lakers, Knicks, Heat) – 10:49 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Rank the ECF MVPs:
Tatum — 25/8/6
Jimmy — 25/8/6
Brown — 30/5/3
Siakam — 25/5/4 pic.x.com/nsl4ufFPlj – 10:49 PM
Rank the ECF MVPs:
Tatum — 25/8/6
Jimmy — 25/8/6
Brown — 30/5/3
Siakam — 25/5/4 pic.x.com/nsl4ufFPlj – 10:49 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Siakam over Haliburton is a bit of a shocker.
Unless you voted with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. – 10:49 PM
Siakam over Haliburton is a bit of a shocker.
Unless you voted with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. – 10:49 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Siakam vs Knicks:
24.8 PPG
5.0 RPG
1.3 SPG
52/50%
ECF MVP. pic.x.com/BvLmbrFsCw – 10:49 PM
Siakam vs Knicks:
24.8 PPG
5.0 RPG
1.3 SPG
52/50%
ECF MVP. pic.x.com/BvLmbrFsCw – 10:49 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Major congratulations to not only Rick Carlisle, who coached the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship, but also to Pacers assistants Mike Weinar and Jenny Boucek, who coached under Carlisle in Dallas. – 10:48 PM
Major congratulations to not only Rick Carlisle, who coached the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship, but also to Pacers assistants Mike Weinar and Jenny Boucek, who coached under Carlisle in Dallas. – 10:48 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Recipient of the fourth annual Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award winner:
Pascal Siakam – 10:47 PM
Recipient of the fourth annual Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award winner:
Pascal Siakam – 10:47 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Rick Carlisle (Mavericks, Pacers) joins a select group of coaches to take 2 franchises to The Finals.
Others:
Alex Hannum (Celtics, Lakers)
Red Auebach (Capitols, Celtics)
Phil Jackson (Bulls, Lakers)
Pat Riley (Lakers, Knicks) – 10:43 PM
Rick Carlisle (Mavericks, Pacers) joins a select group of coaches to take 2 franchises to The Finals.
Others:
Alex Hannum (Celtics, Lakers)
Red Auebach (Capitols, Celtics)
Phil Jackson (Bulls, Lakers)
Pat Riley (Lakers, Knicks) – 10:43 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Wonder how many Canadian hoops fans will try and head to Indy for a Finals game
SGA
Dort
Nembhard
Mathurin
Honorary Canadian Siakam – 10:41 PM
Wonder how many Canadian hoops fans will try and head to Indy for a Finals game
SGA
Dort
Nembhard
Mathurin
Honorary Canadian Siakam – 10:41 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Rick Carlisle, a beast on the sideline. Game 1 set the tone and the Knicks could never get in front of the series after that – 10:35 PM
Rick Carlisle, a beast on the sideline. Game 1 set the tone and the Knicks could never get in front of the series after that – 10:35 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers are on to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. In 2000, it went through the Knicks, also in six games — but this time, they did it in front of their fans.
125-108. Won all four quarters. Siakam led them with 31pts, plus the defense of Nesmith + Nembhard. – 10:35 PM
Pacers are on to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. In 2000, it went through the Knicks, also in six games — but this time, they did it in front of their fans.
125-108. Won all four quarters. Siakam led them with 31pts, plus the defense of Nesmith + Nembhard. – 10:35 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Siakam in Game 6:
31 PTS
5 REB
3 BLK
+25
Going to his second NBA Finals. pic.x.com/JfDqEyagCX – 10:34 PM
Siakam in Game 6:
31 PTS
5 REB
3 BLK
+25
Going to his second NBA Finals. pic.x.com/JfDqEyagCX – 10:34 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
That 9-0 Knicks response came after Siakam, the player of the series, went to the bench.
He’s back in after the Pacers’ lead was cut to seven. Mid-3Q. – 9:48 PM
That 9-0 Knicks response came after Siakam, the player of the series, went to the bench.
He’s back in after the Pacers’ lead was cut to seven. Mid-3Q. – 9:48 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Pacers dared to sit Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner at the same time, and New York unleashed an 8-0 run in less than 100 seconds – 9:48 PM
Pacers dared to sit Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner at the same time, and New York unleashed an 8-0 run in less than 100 seconds – 9:48 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Pascal Siakam vs Knicks transition defense pic.x.com/gULw5vYSBe – 9:37 PM
Pascal Siakam vs Knicks transition defense pic.x.com/gULw5vYSBe – 9:37 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Siakam is playing his ass off right now on both ends of the floor. Shooting the 3 ball at a high clip and getting out in transition for some easy baskets. Defensively he got Towns on lock! – 9:36 PM
Siakam is playing his ass off right now on both ends of the floor. Shooting the 3 ball at a high clip and getting out in transition for some easy baskets. Defensively he got Towns on lock! – 9:36 PM
Dave Mason @DeuceMason
The Haliburton-Siakam connection in transition is destroying the Knicks again – 9:33 PM
The Haliburton-Siakam connection in transition is destroying the Knicks again – 9:33 PM
Tim Cato @tim_cato
rick carlisle learning how to coach an nba offense: pic.x.com/H4TjLnZamP – 9:17 PM
rick carlisle learning how to coach an nba offense: pic.x.com/H4TjLnZamP – 9:17 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Quite the finish to the half. Four scores in 45s.
Big pick-and-pop Haliburton to Turner for 3, then Siakam layup after a Nembhard steal.
Pacers up 58-54 led by 16pts from Siakam. They’re 8/15 from 3. Knicks got a big half from Robinson: 6/7 — and they kept with the pace. – 9:12 PM
Quite the finish to the half. Four scores in 45s.
Big pick-and-pop Haliburton to Turner for 3, then Siakam layup after a Nembhard steal.
Pacers up 58-54 led by 16pts from Siakam. They’re 8/15 from 3. Knicks got a big half from Robinson: 6/7 — and they kept with the pace. – 9:12 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Feel like that’s unfortunate contact on Siakam? Not sure where else OG’s leg is supposed to go on a take off like that. – 9:07 PM
Feel like that’s unfortunate contact on Siakam? Not sure where else OG’s leg is supposed to go on a take off like that. – 9:07 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
What happened to Pascal Siakam at the free throw line??
He was a 77% shooter in Toronto (76% in playoffs)
In Indiana, Siakam has only been at 72% in regular season and *64%* in playoffs. – 8:38 PM
What happened to Pascal Siakam at the free throw line??
He was a 77% shooter in Toronto (76% in playoffs)
In Indiana, Siakam has only been at 72% in regular season and *64%* in playoffs. – 8:38 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Now *that’s* how the Pacers want to play. Consecutive 3s, then Siakam gets a layup seconds after an Anunoby layup.
Good pace after the first few minutes. Pacers have collected themselves, now on 11-2 run. – 8:12 PM
Now *that’s* how the Pacers want to play. Consecutive 3s, then Siakam gets a layup seconds after an Anunoby layup.
Good pace after the first few minutes. Pacers have collected themselves, now on 11-2 run. – 8:12 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Well, Rick Carlisle was saying that Jarace Walker hadn’t played yet after Game 4.
Jarace Walker, the team’s 2023 lottery pick, is now in with Pacers down a dozen. – 8:58 PM
Well, Rick Carlisle was saying that Jarace Walker hadn’t played yet after Game 4.
Jarace Walker, the team’s 2023 lottery pick, is now in with Pacers down a dozen. – 8:58 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers installed an alumni wall at their practice facility two years ago — to recognize those that came before them.
“Just a great idea,” Rick Carlisle said. “Pretty cool.”
Haliburton: “It’s an exciting time to be a Pacer fan and be a Pacer alumni.”
fieldhousefiles.com/p/pacers-knick… pic.x.com/fGvRJHIz8K – 2:37 PM
Pacers installed an alumni wall at their practice facility two years ago — to recognize those that came before them.
“Just a great idea,” Rick Carlisle said. “Pretty cool.”
Haliburton: “It’s an exciting time to be a Pacer fan and be a Pacer alumni.”
fieldhousefiles.com/p/pacers-knick… pic.x.com/fGvRJHIz8K – 2:37 PM
More on this storyline
And his guys ride for him. They have since the very beginning, especially Haliburton. The All-Star point guard was the first to buy in, knowing what was at stake. “When we brought him here, we had a vision,” Haliburton said. “We envisioned doing something like this, doing something special. It’s just really special that he’s been here. He’s been like a big brother for me, someone I can really trust, somebody that I can really lean on and talk to, and just somebody who can always keep me steady.” -via New York Times / June 1, 2025
Kristian Winfield: Thibs on Siakam winning ECF MVP: “He’s a very gifted player, played a terrific series and I think the versatility, his ability to run the floor, play in the paint, face the basket, put it on the floor. He’s a tough cover. Sometimes you can play him well, and because of his size and his release, it’s still a good shot.” -via x.com / May 31, 2025
Marc Stein: 5-4 vote for Pascal Siakam over Tyrese Haliburton for East Finals MVP. -via x.com / May 31, 2025
Brad Townsend: Rick Carlisle (Mavericks, Pacers) joins a select group of coaches to take 2 franchises to The Finals. Others include: Alex Hannum (Celtics, Lakers) Red Auebach (Capitols, Celtics) Phil Jackson (Bulls, Lakers) Pat Riley (Lakers, Knicks, Heat) Larry Brown (Sixers, Pistons) -via Twitter @townbrad / June 1, 2025
Pacers forward Jarace Walker was on crutches with a right ankle injury following Indiana’s 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night, and coach Rick Carlisle said he was uncertain of Walker’s availability for the NBA Finals. Walker will have four full days to recover with Game 1 set for Thursday night at Oklahoma City. “He’s young so that’s good,” Carlisle said. “I did not see a replay so I don’t know how much, how far it turned over, how much weight he had on it. But when a guy goes down and stays down like that, you’re always holding your breath.” -via ESPN / June 1, 2025
Tony East: Carlisle on Haliburton’s shots: “As a team, we have to be aggressive and we have to have a level of balance. I’ll look at it. There’s things I’m going to have to do to help him.” -via x.com / May 29, 2025